Cecil Papers: October 1573

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 1573', in Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 2, 1572-1582, (London, 1888) pp. 59-61. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-cecil-papers/vol2/pp59-61 [accessed 27 March 2024]

October 1573

156. John Hart.
1573, Oct. 1. Petition of John Hart, mariner of Dover, to the Queen, for lease in reversion of tenement he occupied. His services and losses when the Earl of Worcester went over ambassador.—Undated.
[Note by Thomas Wilson that the Queen grants the petition.—1 Oct. 1573.]
½ p. Enclosure:
Thomas Faull [? receiver for Dover] to T. Wilson.
Gives particulars of the tenure. Petitioner likely to have no great bargain by the grant of a lease.—Milgat, 25th Sept. 1573.
1 p.
157. Matthew Hutton, Dean of York, to Lord Burghley,
1573, Oct. 6. Is required to shew his opinion concerning the policy of the Church. Remembers, that in Cambridge, about nine years ago, when the question began to trouble divers good wits, he wished it had never been moved, or else that with wisdom and policy it might have been quickly appeased. But the envious seedsman of tares, while we slept in security, hath so prevailed, that now it is almost too late to seek for remedy. At the beginning it was but a cap, a surplice, and a tippet; now, it is grown to bishops, archbishops and cathedral churches, to the overthrow of established order, and to the Queen's authority in causes ecclesiastical. These reformers would take the supreme authority in ecclesiastical matters from the prince, and give it unto themselves, with the grave seigniory in every parish. They would have every cause debated in the congregation. If they cannot end it, by the ministers and seigniories of adjoining parishes; if they cannot determine it, by a national council; if it cannot be ended there, then to be referred to a general council of all the churches reformed. These men would not only have an equality of all ministers, but also would deprive the Queen of her authority, and give it to the people; that every parish should choose their own minister; which, if put in practice, divers parishes would have none but a papist, others would have the best companion at tables, not the best preacher in the pulpit. Thinks that Calvin was a worthy and learned man, and hath profited the church as much as ever did any since the apostles' time; but he thought not so well of a kingdom as of a popular state, and so he liked best that ecclesiastical polity which agreeth better to a popular state than to a kingdom. If there be things to be amended in the Church of England, let the grave fathers of the Church gather themselves together in the name of Christ; let them consult without affection; let them talk with the authors of the admonition and platform; let them answer them and reform by public authority any defects found in the laws; “only let us not through bitter and uncharitable contention hinder the course of the Gospel, give occasion to the enemy to rejoice, and gratify them that gape for the spoil of the clergy.” Advises Burghley to have an eye to the Universities, that young wits there be not inured to contentious factions; for he has noted that these, when they have been called to serve in the commonwealth, have been greater stirrers and dealers than hath been convenient.—York, 6 October 1573.
Endorsed :—“The Dean of York to my Lord; his opinion touching the late differences in the Church.”
10 pp. [Murdin, pp. 261–266. In extenso.]
158. The Customer and Comptroller of Lynne to Lord Burghley.
1573, Oct. 11. Received on the 10th inst. his letters by Anthony Conway. According to command they have sent a certificate subscribed by the Mayor of Lynne of the grain and victuals shipped from that port since the first of August last. This grain they have suffered to pass by particular warrants, remaining in the Lynne custom house,
directed to them from Sir Christopher Haydon and Sir William Buttes. As regards the unlawful carrying of grain and victuals they suppose some grain has been disorderly carried over the seas, for they have not as yet received certificates for divers obligations forfeited, which, at their coming at the end of the month, are to be delivered into the Exchequer or otherwise as commanded.—Lynne, 11 Oct. 1573.
Seal. 1 p.
The certificate referred to.
3 pp.
159. The Officers of the Port of Yarmouth to Lord Burghley.
1573, Oct. 14. Have received his letters of the 7th inst., by which they are charged to certify what quantity of grain or other victuals have been laden from this port and its members, from the beginning of August last. And whereas by the same letters the exportation of all kinds of victuals is restrained, they have made stay of herrings (although by statute they may freely be transported), thinking such was his intention, for that the prices be more than usual, viz., herrings, white, of the best, 30s. a barrel, the next sort 26s. 8d. the barrel, and red herrings 10s. the cade the best; and they not many, the year having been very troublesome for men to fish. The men of this town are content to abide by the order, but others at Dunwich, Southwold, Walberswick, and Aldborough have refused to enter their herrings at the Custom-house. Notify that one Gregory Hellwise laded in Woodbridge Creek without any Custom house entry, 30 barrels of beer, one barrel of butter, and 20 cloths into a “craier” named the “Swallow” of Harwich, and refused to allow Nicolas Burwell, the Deputy Customer, to enter the ship, when charged to show by what order he passed.—Yarmouth, 14 October 1573.
Signed :—William Smythe, collector, Edmund Lyster, comptroller, Robert Bishop, searcher.
1 p.
160. The Queen's Debts at Antwerp.
1573, Oct. 27, 28. Notes by Dr. David Lewes and Sir Thomas Gresham on the state of the Queen's debts at Antwerp, owing chiefly to the Spinolas and to Acerbo Velutelli—Dated 27, 28 Oct. 1573.
pp. [Murdin, pp. 266, 267. In extenso.]