Calendar of Border Papers: Volume 2, 1595-1603. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1896.
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'Border Papers volume 2: July 1602', in Calendar of Border Papers: Volume 2, 1595-1603, (London, 1896) pp. 790-793. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-border-papers/vol2/pp790-793 [accessed 16 April 2024]
In this section
1467. Scrope to Cecil. [July.]
Since I came to Carlisle, I find that Mr John Musgrave has done his duty, as the inclosed will show you: though some would report otherwise. Therefore I pray you remember my suit for him to her Majesty, left by me as you desired to Mr Wynybanck: the effecting which shall bind me, and as I gave him some hope of it, it might be sent presently, it would make me happy.
The thieves threaten, but have done little: and I have apprehended 3 of the "notablest" while stealing, "and meane (God willinge) to hange them in part of payment," for example to others. If Mr Secretarie Herbert have not seut the letter to Captain Boyer, I pray you send it: for without the soldiers, no service can be done. Signed: Th. Scroope.
1 p. Holograph. Indorsed: "1602. L. Scroope to my master, without date," &c.
1468. Sir John Carey to Cecil. [July 6.]
While delivering his letters to the post boy who was starting, he heard a post horn blow, and stayed him: but received only a packet for Mr Nicolson which he sent off to Scotland. Also the inclosed directed to Cecil and dated at Berwick, but by the schedule appears to come from London. It is directed on the back at Berwick 1st July, and received at "Walton crose" same day. Signed: Jhon Carey.
⅓ p. Holograph. Addressed. Indorsed.
1469. Sir John Carey to Cecil. [July 6.]
Having received this packet from Mr Nicolson "even nowe presentley," I let you know that on the 4th instant I received yours of 29th of last with a packet for him sent off then. By your letter to my self "I feynd it is imputed sum faulte in you for the yonge Gowreyes beinge in England: wherof I can best acquit youer honer, for I knoe best what you sayed to me of that matter, when thoes thinges wear in questyon: and for my owen part, as I will ever prove honest to you, so I delt honestley and faythefulley in that cause: for so sowen as I hard her Majestey resolusion bey you and youer owen oppinion, I sent them presentley word bey ther frendes and adveysed them to goe into sume other conterey and to leave England. Sines wiche tyme I have never had aney thinge to doe withe them but discharged myselfe cleane from aney delinge withe them what so ever shold become of them: never the lese I thinke they ar inded styll in England, but whear or in what sort I knoe not, nether have I, sins knoledge "of her Majestes pleser, enqueyered after them: wher so ever they be they ar at ther owen perrell, for I gave them warninge enofe." Here is nothing of worth or "great stat" matters in Scotland, the King imploying himself in agreeing feuds and quarrels among themselves. I have this day received a letter from my lords of Council by one Master Muscham: which I will answer in my next. It seems he and his friends care not to wrong others so as it serves their own turn.
Mr Nicolson has written for Lord Roxburgh's licence to pass through England, and asked me to intreat it might be sent here to me, as we must have conference before he goes. Berwick. Signed: Jhon Carey.
1 p. Holograph. Addressed. Indorsed. Wax signet: swan, &c.
1470. Sir John Carey to Cecil. [July 12.]
I have not only obeyed my lords of the Council in sending the 3 garrison men to Newcastle assizes, but in answering their honors' letter, in case I be thought negligent or uncivil: inclosing the copy to your honor, to deliver it or not, as you see best.
As for George Muschamp's complaint, that a recognizance taken in Berwick is void in law: it is strange he questions it, whereof, till his "brother " William Selby came hither, the like was never heard of! It may be that a private justice cannot take one out of his own country, but if it is to be so here, we shall soon have "a wyeld countrey," for they are already by the ears, and every gentleman like to cut his neighbour's throat, on the little encouragement by the "yonge gentillman porters wordes" when here, that "bandes" taken in Berwick were worthless! giving me more to do keeping our gentlemen quiet, than in defending them from the Scots. For it is sure than in the time of Lords Wharton, Evers, Graye, Bedford, and of my lord my father, none was forced to go 7 or 8 miles out of this town to take such for private persons. And now by Mr Selby's and Mr Muschamp's making question, there have been more affrays and blood shed this twelvemonth than before.
The need that such power should be vested in myself as in the above great officers is shown, viz., there is not between Alnwick and Berwick or in the East March, one resident justice of peace "that can steere" but myself, commonly left alone in the town: the only justices are Sir William Reade, blind and impotent, "his sences fayleth him," Mr Thomas Bradford "lyen long of a ded paulsey "; another Mr Muschampe, I know not if one or not, for since he was sheriff he has not been at assizes: so if they decline my authority, I must go 7 or 8 miles out to take bonds and hear causes, leaving everything in peril! "Some quicke wittes there be," that cannot subject themselves to rule, and yet would be "absolute inoughe yf them selves had awcthoritie." If this will not serve, I am on the commission of Oyer and Terminer for York, Durham, Newcastle, and Berwick—wherein I desire your opinion. Lord Hume has already sent many of his horses, and is expected here this day bound for London. His servants tell me he is ambassador to France. Berwick. Signed: Jhon Carey.
1¾ pp. Addressed. Indorsed. Wax signet: swan, &c.
1471. Sir John Carey to Cecil. [July 15.]
Lord Roxburgh has written to me earnestly begging his licence may be sent down to him with speed: it is his only stay. Lord Hume was sent for by the King, but has taken leave, and is to be here "as to-morrowe" on his journey to France. There is no news but that some of those in her Majesty's pay seem to lie here only to trouble the country. Berwick. Signed: Jhon Carey.
½ p. Addressed. Indorsed. Wax signet: swan, &c.
1472. Scrope to Cecil. [July 17. 1602.]
My Lord Johnston was with me here: and the inclosed will show you what passed between us.
I entreat you most earnestly to write to Sir John Carey that when Sir Robert Yaxsley is gone (whereof I know not) Captain Boyer may come hither: for, though Mr Secretary Herbert told me the letters were sent, he takes no notice. Therefore, "for the love of God," put him in mind of it: as nothing can be done without them. Carlisle. Signed: Th. Scroope.
1 p. Holograph. Addressed. Indorsed. Wafer signet as before.
Inclosed in the same:—(Indent between Scrope and Johnston.)
At Carlisle, 16th July 1602. Indented between the Lord Scrope, K.G., &c., and Sir James Johnston, knight, &c.
Extracts.
Under six heads.
(1) For restitution of all horses, &c., taken of the English prisoners of Graistock barony for which Rob Grame of the Lanriggs was delivered.
(2) All outrages since Lord Scrope's coming home, viz., "the last day of June," to be respectively dealt with in 10 days, &c.
(4) As to following trodes in either realm without hindrance.
(5) Names of outlaws and irresponsible men on both marches to be interchanged and proclaimed fugitives.
(6) And these to be apprehended in either realm by the warden of the other, or his deputy, without hindrance. Johnston.
"Since this indent passed between the Lard Johnston and mee, Robert Grame now prisoner, not only tooke one of my servants prisoner into Scotland, and his horse and geare, contrary the last acte, as I shall proove upon him, but further uttered such bloudy words against his magistrat as are intollerable because they aproch neare to if they be not, petti-treason."
2¼ pp. In two clerks' hands. Indorsed.
(1) Another copy, without the last paragraph.
1½ pp. In another clerk's hand. Indorsed.
1473. Lancelot Carleton to Lord Thomas Howard. [July 17.]
Some years by past "it was my happ," by means of a gentleman "that dwellith in the Yle of Arron," to procure the offer of a service to her Majesty to have been done by "Ser James Maklayn of the Yles": who then offered, for such a sum of money "as in reasson he woulde demande, to delever the Earle of Tyrone in persson, or ells his heade, into Inglande within one half yeare after the conclusione: ande for performansse of the samme, to delever his eldest sune in pawn secretly to hir Majestie within the Tower of London, and thayr, for want of performance, to tayke his sunes liff." Nothing was done before Maklayn was killed, "and so thayr was an eande of that"! And, hearing Tyrone's traitorous attempts continue ever since, I feared a like opportunity would be hard to get, for "Malklayns enterprys was groundede furth (?) of a desyer of reavendge for his owen perticuler, together with hop of proffit, for that he was marsanarye."
Now, I have just learned of an accident fallen out in Ireland, that in my simple opinion offers a good hope to give Tyrone his due desert, if the Queen greatly desires it: choosing to lay the same open to your lordship, whom I am bound to serve on my knees, if I had no feet to stand on. There is a deadly hate taken against Tyrone by "Angus Makonell, lorde of Iventyre, and his sune Sir James," for a matter depending "betwixt Sir James Makonell and Mak surell buye," for certain lands in Ireland and the "castell of Dunlyps" (fn. 1) : wherein Tyrone, by a cunning composition, has got the castle from Sir James who had possession of it, to "Maksurle buye." Sir James, within this 6 weeks, has returned out of Ireland to Kentyre with deep desire of revenge, and yet at departing passed it over without any great show till time gives him opportunity. Sir James is of wonderful resolution, but both "perillous and marsenary," and so likelier for the service, if he will take it in hand: for a number of Tyrone's followers are kinsmen and servants to Sir James and his father, and would serve them against Tyrone on commandment.
Seeing all these "comes together so fitly," I would that your lordship impart them to Mr Secretary, and if it pleased her Majesty, I doubt not to find means to sound Sir James's disposition, and proceed further, "as it shall pleas Gode to permit": for I think if he takes it up, he is the man to carry it out. I hear, further that "O'Donnell is in Spayne practisinge matters for Yerlande": he and Sir James is "full cossinge germayns," and Sir James can do much with him—if not to join in this action, yet to get intelligence from him for her Majesty at his return. Considering the "corrupt nature of the people, I thinke proffit might drawe goode intelligence from abowt Tyrone to passe thorowe Kentyer to Arron and so to Carlell … I have sutche frindes dwelling in the Ylle of Arron" as I know will do her Majesty any service they can in this. Brampton in Gilsland. Signed: Lancilote Carleton.
2¾ pp. Holograph; also address: "To the right ho. the Lo. Thomas Howorde, at his lordships lodginge in the Charter howsse," &c. Indorsed by Cecil.
1474. Sir John Carey to Cecil. [July 22.]
I put your honor in remembrance (while sending up this packet of Mr Nicolson's) of the Scottish coin, that some immediate order be taken. We have only had our last pay a week, and scarce a penny of English money about, unless in some man's hand that does not need to use it; and there are such controversies, some taking the Scottish at one value, some at another, that it were best I think, to proclaim it, which, in the end, would banish it—for, so long as they can gain 3d. or 4d. in a shilling, and above 2s. in an angel, I cannot blame them. Praying also answer of Master Muschamp's petition touching bonds taken here. Berwick. Signed: Jhon Carey.
1 p. Holograph. Addressed. Indorsed. Wax signet: swan, &c.
1475. Sir John Carey to Cecil. [July 25.]
We may shortly expect more news: for yesterday, at night, the 24th, as I was going to supper, a French ambassador came here, the "Baron du Toor"; he landed at Scarborough, and came on through Yorkshire, &c. He is accompanied only with his lady, 2 gentlewomen, and 6 men. This afternoon he goes on by Dunbar towards Edinburgh; where when well settled, I doubt not he will breed matter for more resolution than hitherto. Berwick. Signed: Jhon Carey.
I would remind your honor to take order about the Scottish money: it breeds great controversy.
1 p. Postscript holograph. Addressed. Indorsed. Wax signet: swan, &c.