Cecil Papers: October 1575

Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 2, 1572-1582. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1888.

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'Cecil Papers: October 1575', in Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 2, 1572-1582, (London, 1888) pp. 116-119. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-cecil-papers/vol2/pp116-119 [accessed 18 March 2024]

October 1575

326. M. De Villiers to Lord Burghley.
1575, October 1. Has no certain news of the Duke of Alençon, save what he gathers from the letters of M. de la Noue and M. du Pin. He will not fall a second time into his brother's hands after his late escape. If he should see he may be safe in his own Duchy, he will not stir a step till the Prince of Condé comes. He has nothing to fear from intestine plots, the ruin of so many rulers, as the history of the Cæsars proves.—London, 1 October 1575.
Endorsed :—1 Octob. 1575 Mr Villerius to my Lord.
Latin. Very much decayed. ½ p.
327. Mr. Recorder Fleetwood to Lord Burghley.
1575, October 2. Gives his diary for the week. “Upon Mondaye laste my Lord Maior and other the Justices of Oier and determiner did sitt in Midd. at Fynseburye, and there I gave the charge for Treasons and other hault offenses, where we delte with all suche as had uttered anie counterfett mony within Midd. Upon Tuesdaye my Lo. and his brethren satt in the Kings Benche where I gave the water charge for the Ryver of Thames, for so muche as is upon the parte of Midd. The same Afternowne we satt in Southwerk, and gave the like charge for the same Ryver upon Surrey syde. This Sessions is called the Courte for the conservancie of the Ryver of Thames. Muche good groweth to the Comenwelthe by this Court. Upon Weddensdaye we satte in the Yelde hall, and there did the chifest of the Commons appere, & there we sitting all in our Calabrye Clokes of Murrey did geve the newe Shereffs and theire Under-sheriffs for London and Midd. theire othes. And then our order is the one half to dyne with the one Sheriff & the other half with the other. At after none the same daie the newe Sheriffs goe to everie pryson, and do there receave all the prysouers by matter of Record. And at everie pryson the Gailer thereof dothe make unto them a verye fyne and a nedeles banckett wch much better might be spared then spent. Upon Thursdaye we all in our gownes and Clokes of skarlett furred were in the Yelde halle Chappell, where a verie learned and godlie Sermon was preached. And at the ende of the Sermon my Lord and all his brethren receved the Communion. And that done, we went into the Counsell Chamber, & there pawsing a while untill all the Commens of the Citie were placed in the greate halle everie man in his degree, then in a decent order we came forthe, And satte downe in the Est ende of the halle in the Hustings Courte. And then myself did stande forthe upon the Chekker borde there, and used a simple speche unto the Comens, partelie noting unto them brefelie the cheifeste points of the Sermon that tended to the order of the election, and then I put them in remembrauns of their duetie in the forme of theire chosing and what qualities the man ought to have whome they were of duetie bounde to chose. That done my Lord and his brethren retorned to the greate Counsell Chamber, viz. the Maior's Court, leaving behinde us the two newe Sheriffs with the Commen Sargeant. The which Commn Sarjaunt doth then stand up, and either doth or shold recite unto the Commens what the Preacher and I had spoken, and add somewhat more to the same. And that done the Commens name three or fower of the most Auncientes. And after, question is asked which two of them they meane to present to my Lord and to his brethren. And then as manie as ment to have Mr. Nicholas to be Maior do holde up theire handes and saie never a word. And so the names of the two that have most handes are sent up to my Lord and his brethren. And then myself go downe to a Wyndowe, and begining with the yongest Alderman and so in order do take theire voices, and that done we all retorne to our place in the halle againe, where I do declare and pronounce to the people the man upon whome the lott of the eleccion is fallen, and then aske them whether they like thereof. And they said all, Yee, yee. That done, my Lord electe standeth forthe in my place & there doth disable himself, and in the ende is well contented & so geveth them thanks. And then standeth forth the olde Maior and he doth geue them his hartie thankes in like maner, and there doth he take his leave. And so we go to dynner with the two olde Shereffes where we had a costlie feaste with a playe for our farewell. Upon Frydaie wee went with the newe Sheriffes to the Exchekker where Mr. Baron Lord and Mr. Fanshawe did geve their othes. And that done all the officers of the Exchekker did dine with the two newe Sheriffs at which tyme your Lo. dyned at the Tower. Upon Satterdaye my Lord and the Gray Clokes satte in Southwerk, and there we kepte two Sessionses, the one for the Sewers & the other for the punishment of Bawdes and Harlottes. . . . . . . . . . . . .
“This presente Sondaie at Paules Cross one Mr. Fairefax preacheth. This daye a man of my Lady Meutes, for that he stolle an Orphaut of the Citie of 11 yeres olde, and maried her in Leicester, he being 30 yeres olde, dothe publique penauns for the same by the Judgement of the Ecclesiasticall Commission.”
Sealed. Endorsed :—“1 Octob. 1575. Mr Recorder to my Lord, his Diarye.”
2 pp. [Murdin (where it is wrongly dated 1 Oct. 1573) pp. 259– 261. In extenso.]
328. The Earl of Leicester to Lord Burghley.
1575, Oct 2. Her Majesty hearing of great disorder and want amongst the poor in the Savoy for lack of a master or head to take care thereof, would have appointed Mr. Ashton thereto some time ago but for fear of the sickness lately in the house. However she has now sent for him and offered him the mastership, directing him to confer with his Lordship on the subject. His Lordship is not to suffer Mr. Ashton to go to the house if the infection has been there lately, but to let him know its condition by such means as he can best devise and to understand that her Majesty's meaning is to appoint Mr. Ashton to this charge if only he upon due understanding thereof, shall like it.
1 p.
329. R. Bertie to Lord Burghley.
1575, Oct 2. Concerning the making of a certain drain called Symon Goate. Suggests that as her Majesty would greatly benefit thereby suit should be made to the Chancellor of the Duchy (of Lancaster) for her to contribute towards the charges thereof. Sends certain books bearing on the subject.—Fisshetoft, near Boston, 2 Oct. 1575.
1 p.
330. Sir Thos. Cecil to Lord Burghley.
1575, Oct 3. Understanding that his Lordship was unwilling to bring my Lady his mother and Lady Oxford to Croydon unless it were to satisfy the great desire of my lord, assures him that the latter will take it very thankfully, and trusts that as they are to pass so near Wimbledon they will do him and his wife the honour to visit them.—Wimbledon, 3 Oct. 1575.
1 p.
331. Edmund Pirton to Lord Burghley.
1575, Oct 4. Sends a list of those persons whom he proposes, in pursuance of the writ directed to him, to nominate as jurors before a Commission of Sewers for the County of Essex.—Little Bentley, 4 Oct. 1575.
1 p.
332. Edward Chester to Lord Burghley.
1575, October 6. The enemy after the gain of Ordewater and Schoonehoven retired into Brabant, and afterwards crossing the river entered the island of Duiveland on the 29th ulto. After firing the villages there the Prince's soldiers cut the banks, so that it is doubtful how it will be recovered. Monsr de Boyssott, Governor of Walcheren, was unhappily slain. They will attempt Zericksee, where there are 1,200 able soldiers. The numbers that entered those isles are estimated at 6,000, the very choice of the Duke's whole camp. “There is great hope they shall never retire them thence, for our ships lie there round about.” Another part of the Duke's camp is preparing to enter another isle, Zwindverst. If they succeed Dort will be in peril. The Prince has sent into Zealand to learn the disposition of the people concerning a new governor. If they desire one with equal charge to M. de Boyssott, who was Lieut. General of the whole isle of Walcheren, Count Culingburgh is nominated. He much honours the Queen. But if every town will have its governor, then are St. Aldegonde, Howtaine, Coronell, Helling and others to be employed. The Prince is come from Dort to Rotterdam, where are gathered a greater assembly of the States than ever heretofore. It is secretly said they will renounce the King and his jurisdiction, deface his arms in all their towns, and extinguish all memory that may be of him. Mons. de Revers, the continual messenger and practiser for France, departed thither 20 days ago. Whether they will receive aid thence he knows not. “This state will small while stand, for the enemy's force is great, and for every decay hath his supply. We consume daily that small number we have, and want the means to raise new supplies, yet soundeth the drum daily for more soldiers, but few are ready to take arms.”—Delft, 6 October 1575.
P.S.—The enemy have thrice attempted Zericksee and Bomeney, and been repulsed with a loss of 800 men. The States have fully resolved to refuse all obedience and service to the King.
Endorsed.
pp.
333. Charles De Montmorency, Count of Meru to Lord Burghley.
1575, October 28. Thanks to the Queen's favour procured by Burghley's means they are on the point of succeeding. One of the finest armies that for twenty years has issued from Germany ready to march is coming just in time to succour the King's brother. The Prince is writing, and M. Wilkes, who is just despatched, will give fuller information.—Strasburg, 28 October 1575.
Endorsed :—“28 October 1575, Monsr. de Meru to my Lord.”
French. ½ p.
334. Edward Dyer to Lord Burghley.
1575, October 28. Sends Gilpin, who has been disappointed in all his purposes of the Jew, as he will declare. When he told the Count his mind and the Jew likewise, they gave him the answers sent by bearer. Also sends his reply, left open for Burghley to alter as he thinks best.—Woodstock, 28 October 1575.
Sealed. Endorsed.
1 p.
335. George Laughton to Lord Burghley.
1575, Oct. Explains the method followed by him in teaching the Earl of Surrey, specifying the books read by him and the time devoted to each.
Latin. 1 p.